Serum Visfatin as a Diagnostic Marker of Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been reported to be caused by a complex interplay of immunological, infectious, and genetic factors. Previous studies have suggested that adipokines play a role in IBD by inducing proinflammatory cytokines. We aimed to evaluate the role of visfatin in the diagnosis algorithm of active IBD.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo: A Case-Controlled Serological Study.

: Alopecia areata and vitiligo vulgaris are common autoimmune diseases whose pathophysiology are not completely elucidated. Genetic susceptibility, immunological background, and stress have significant roles in their pathogenesis. Although macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is crucial for the maintenance of immune privilege in certain sites, it can upregulate different inflammatory cytokines and contribute to the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases.

The synthesis and characterization of zinc-containing electrospun chitosan/gelatin derivatives with antibacterial properties.

Homogenous allocation of inorganic particles in a polymeric matrix is a challenge. In this work, we discuss electrospinning of chitosan /gelatin using CS-Si (chitosan silicone hybrids) as well as the formation of homogeneously distributed Zn elements inside chitosan nanofiber through chitosan -GPTMS hybrids. Chitosan -GPTMS hybrids can be synthesized by acid catalyzed amino-oxirane addition reaction.

Using chitosan nanoparticles as drug carriers for the development of a silver sulfadiazine wound dressing.

Burn wounds environment favors the growth of micro-organisms causing delay in wound healing. The traditional treatment with antimicrobial creams offer inaccurate doses. In the present study, a dressing coated with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) for the controlled-release of SSD into burn wound to control bacterial growth was investigated.

Circulating microRNAs - a new horizon in molecular diagnosis of breast cancer.

Background: The potential use of microRNAs (miRNAs) as ideal tumor markers has been the focus of recent research.

Objective: Our hypothesis was that circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed in pretherapeutic sera of breast cancer patients compared to controls.

Materials And Methods: Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, levels of 5 candidate miRNAs (miR10b, miR34a, miR155, miR195 and miR16) were quantified in sera of breast cancer patients and control individuals.

Effect of alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Aim: To evaluate effective alternative antibiotics in treatment of cefotaxime-resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Methods: One hundred cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cell count (PMNLs) ≥ 250 cells/mm(3) at admission] were empirically treated with cefotaxime sodium 2 g/12 h and volume expansion by intravenous human albumin. All patients were subjected to history taking, complete examination, laboratory tests (including a complete blood cell count, prothrombin time, biochemical tests of liver and kidney function, and fresh urine sediment), chest X-ray, a diagnostic abdominal paracentesis, and the sample subjected to total and differential cell count, chemical examination, aerobic and anaerobic cultures.

HE4 and mesothelin: novel biomarkers of ovarian carcinoma in patients with pelvic masses.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of novel serum tumor markers, HE4 and mesothelin either alone or in combination with CA125 in diagnosis and early detection of ovarian carcinoma in patients with pelvic masses.

Subjects And Methods: Sera were obtained preoperatively from 65 women underwent surgery for a pelvic mass and 25 age- and menopausal status-matched healthy women. All samples were analyzed for levels of CA125, HE4, and mesothelin by serum based immunoassays and patients results were compared to final pathology findings.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and evaluation of a health education program in el-ghar village in zagazig, egypt.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an emerging global epidemic, some nations have been more drastically affected than others. Egypt reports the highest incidence in the world, with a prevalence rate of over 20 % (global average 3%). Despite the alarming prevalence of the disease in the country, awareness of the disease is still low.